100 Years Ago: Invisible Wounds, Frankford Visited by Santa

The Intelligencer December 27, 1918 (page 4)

“Writing on ‘Invisible Wounds’ Capt. Arthur H. Samuels, says that the greater percentage of soldiers passing through reconstruction centres are suffering from internal rather than outward surgical injuries, men who are suffering from shell shock, for instance. They look fit. … No small part of the keen intuition that knows how to sympathize by silence and unobtrusive helpfulness and that is so absolutely necessary in the great work of helping these men to ‘find themselves’ rests with the women of every community. If the returned man becomes discouraged and outclassed after leaving the reconstruction centres the fault will be found to rest almost invariably with the women who have sympathized in unwise rather than helpful ways. Open commiseration is often nothing less than refined cruelty and is never the best sort of help. Thus there is added another phase to women’s war work, study of the best ways of helping unobtrusively.”

The Intelligencer December 27, 1918 (page 5)

“Visited by Santa. Despite the heavy snowfall and blizzard on ‘Xmas eve, dear old Santa was seen making his way down Front street, Frankford about 8.30 with a heavy pack. Upon inquiries it was learned he was calling upon the kiddies of the Frankford soldiers overseas who would yet have to spend Christmas without ‘daddy.’ Much cheer, along with the little gifts was brought to the homes on Santa’s visit and one mother was heard to exclaim. ‘God bless you.’ The Frankford Overseas Club with the able assistance of Mr. A. E. McAllister is to be congratulated on the noble work.”